Wild animals rely on three major components for survival — food, water and shelter — which often leads them into residential neighborhoods.

There is more interaction between wildlife and people during the summer, said wildlife specialist Sam Smallidge of New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service.

Smallidge offers tips for residents to avoid hazardous and possibly dangerous encounters with wildlife this summer.

Clean up the property, close the gaps

Smallidge said it is important for residents to sanitize their property.

He said cleaning around the yard prevents rodents and other wildlife from invading the property.

"People will have piles of rocks, piles of wood on the ground. Those types of debris are refuge for rodents," he said. "If you're cleaning it up, stacking things higher, getting them off property, you're changing habitat. You're altering habitat and that changes the desirability."

According to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, three rodent species — kangaroo rat, woodrat and grasshopper mouse — are common throughout Eddy County.

Smallidge said rodents on the property can then attract snakes and skunks.

He said although there's no recommended safe distance to place debris, he suggested that piles should be at least 12 inches off of the ground.

"The farther away, the better," he said.

Gaps and holes may also allow animals to find shelter inside home and sheds.

Smallidge said even a quarter-inch hole or a gap between a building and foundation is big enough for snakes, and possibly rodents, to crawl through.

He suggested adding a door sweep to front doors and plugging any gaps with copper mesh material, as rodents will not chew through mesh.

Remove water, food bowls

Pet owners tend to leave their dog's water and food bowls outside even when the pet is in the home, Smallidge said.

He said leaving a bowl outside for a long period of time can attract wildlife.

Smallidge recalled receiving a call about three years ago from a Las Cruces resident who spotted a mountain lion in their backyard. He suspected the animal was attracted to the family pet's water bowl.

"If you have a mountain lion in your backyard, stay out of that backyard. Let them do their thing," Smallidge said.

What to do next

Smallidge said many residents may not know how to respond when encountering a wild animal.

Smallidge suggested contacting animal rescue if the animal is difficult or hazardous - those include rattlesnakes, skunks and foxes.

"Keep pets in the house. The animal is going to move off eventually," he said. "If, for example, it's taking up residence, that’s a different circumstance. You can start thinking about discouraging that animal from coming back."